MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

*****

 

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations was held on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair

 

None

Senator Paul Bettencourt, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Donna Campbell

 

 

Senator Sylvia Garcia

 

 

Senator Don Huffines

 

 

Senator José Menéndez

 

 

Senator Van Taylor

 

 

 

*****

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:02 AM.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Sylvia Garcia and Senator José Menéndez.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1544 and the committee substitute adopted on March 27, 2017.  Senator Huffines moved that SB 1544 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof be reported back with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Garcia submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.  Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1229 and the committee substitute adopted on March 27, 2017.  Senator Menéndez moved that SB 1229 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass and be printed but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof be reported back with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Garcia submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.  Senator Menéndez moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:05 AM Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 460 and the committee substitute adopted on March 27, 2017.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 460 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof be reported back with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:07 AM Senator Lucio, Jr. resumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 554 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony be opened.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 554 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 488 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.  Senator Bettencourt sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Bettencourt to explain the difference between the committee substitute and senate bill as filed.  Senator Bettencourt moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that public testimony be opened.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection it was so ordered.  Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 488 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass and be printed but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof be passed and printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Garcia submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting nay.

 

The Chair laid out SB 990 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony be opened.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Campbell moved that SB 990 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Garcia submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.  Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:59 AM Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 744.  Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Campbell, in absence of the author, to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Campbell moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Campbell moved that SB 744 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof be reported back with the recommendation that it do pass and be printedThe motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Garcia submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting nay.

 

The Chair laid out SB 467 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony be opened.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 467 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Garcia moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1090 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony be opened.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1090 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Garcia submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

 

At 10:41 AM Senator Lucio, Jr. resumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1620 and recognized the author, Senator Van Taylor to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony be opened.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Van Taylor moved that SB 1620 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Garcia submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.  Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

No action was taken on the following bills: SB 1469.

 

There being no further business, at 10:49 AM Senator Bettencourt moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Dilip Kanuga, Clerk